Stoller delivers wild ride
By Christy Lemire |
June 13, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FINALLY this summer, a movie lives up to its hype.
"Get Him to the Greek" is a complete blast, a much-needed breath of fresh air. Its energy is what's so refreshing, its lack of pretension or self-seriousness, especially during a season of bloated, boring blockbusters.
Like the 2008 hit "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" which inspired it, "Get Him to the Greek" is primarily here to offer up a good time, with rapid-fire jokes, great pacing and (of course) a litany of clever pop-culture references. But there's always that layer of humanity and sweetness that sneaks in, providing some heart along with the raunchiness.
Russell Brand's performance was one of the funniest, most memorable parts of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and here he reprises the role of preening British rock star Aldous Snow. Brand stole that movie in just a few scenes. Aldous is self-centered, arrogant and condescending. People are disposable to him, and he's incapable of being loyal. He's also flat-out brilliant, with a quick wit and an arsenal of hilariously off-kilter quips and observations. So he's a fascinating mix of contradictions, and a guy you wouldn't mind hanging out with at a party -- just to see what happens.
Director Nicholas Stoller, who directed and wrote the script based on Jason Segel's characters, also shows Aldous' vulnerability, his caring side and even a darkness in expanding the role.
When we first see him in "Get Him to the Greek," Aldous has released his latest album, "African Child," to universal critical derision. (The video for the title song opens the film, and it's a scream.) At the same time, he's also just been dumped by his longtime girlfriend and the mother of his son. So after years of sobriety, he's now numbing the pain with booze, drugs and as many women as he can find.
But up-and-coming record executive Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) has an idea: stage a 10-year-anniversary concert of Aldous' legendary show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. It'll provide a jolt not just to Aldous' career but his own.
Aaron's assignment is to fly to London and bring Aldous back to Los Angeles for the big comeback show. Naturally, this does not go as planned. There are wild stops in New York and Las Vegas, missed flights and anonymous romps, swigs of absinthe and smuggled drugs. Cameos from celebrities like Pink and MTV's Kurt Loder add a dash of realism to the adventures.
Part of the charm of "Get Him to the Greek" is that Aaron and Aldous begin to bond. What's intriguing about their relationship is that the power keeps shifting back and forth between them.
They unexpectedly come close to being friends. And "Get Him to the Greek" comes close to being great.
"Get Him to the Greek" is a complete blast, a much-needed breath of fresh air. Its energy is what's so refreshing, its lack of pretension or self-seriousness, especially during a season of bloated, boring blockbusters.
Like the 2008 hit "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" which inspired it, "Get Him to the Greek" is primarily here to offer up a good time, with rapid-fire jokes, great pacing and (of course) a litany of clever pop-culture references. But there's always that layer of humanity and sweetness that sneaks in, providing some heart along with the raunchiness.
Russell Brand's performance was one of the funniest, most memorable parts of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and here he reprises the role of preening British rock star Aldous Snow. Brand stole that movie in just a few scenes. Aldous is self-centered, arrogant and condescending. People are disposable to him, and he's incapable of being loyal. He's also flat-out brilliant, with a quick wit and an arsenal of hilariously off-kilter quips and observations. So he's a fascinating mix of contradictions, and a guy you wouldn't mind hanging out with at a party -- just to see what happens.
Director Nicholas Stoller, who directed and wrote the script based on Jason Segel's characters, also shows Aldous' vulnerability, his caring side and even a darkness in expanding the role.
When we first see him in "Get Him to the Greek," Aldous has released his latest album, "African Child," to universal critical derision. (The video for the title song opens the film, and it's a scream.) At the same time, he's also just been dumped by his longtime girlfriend and the mother of his son. So after years of sobriety, he's now numbing the pain with booze, drugs and as many women as he can find.
But up-and-coming record executive Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) has an idea: stage a 10-year-anniversary concert of Aldous' legendary show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. It'll provide a jolt not just to Aldous' career but his own.
Aaron's assignment is to fly to London and bring Aldous back to Los Angeles for the big comeback show. Naturally, this does not go as planned. There are wild stops in New York and Las Vegas, missed flights and anonymous romps, swigs of absinthe and smuggled drugs. Cameos from celebrities like Pink and MTV's Kurt Loder add a dash of realism to the adventures.
Part of the charm of "Get Him to the Greek" is that Aaron and Aldous begin to bond. What's intriguing about their relationship is that the power keeps shifting back and forth between them.
They unexpectedly come close to being friends. And "Get Him to the Greek" comes close to being great.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
